Paul Heaton formed The Housemartins in the early 1980s. The Housemartins released a number of singles and two studio albums, London 0 Hull 4 and The People Who Grinned Themselves to Death. Their most famous hit was an a-capella version of the Isley Brothers' Caravan of Love, which was a Christmas number one in the UK.
In 1988, Paul Heaton formed The Beautiful South from the ashes of The Housemartins. The Beautiful South released two top ten singles, Song for Whoever and You Keep It All In, which featured Irish singer Briana Corrigan on vocals. In 1989, the band released an album "Welcome to the Beautiful South" by which time Corrigan had joined the band as a full time member. The band's biggest success to date is the release of the single "A Little Time" in 1991. It reached number 1 on the charts. In 1993 the band released their third album, "0898 Beautiful South".
In 1994, Briana Corrigan left the band and a new female vocalist, Jacqui Abbott, was brought in. During the recording of the band's fourth album "Miaow", Heaton was increasingly irritated with the band and at one time told them to get their act together or he would leave. "Miaow" is some of Heaton's most depressing songwriting (only their fifth studio album, "Blue Is The Colour", is considered sadder). Heaton was going through a break-up with his girlfriend and other problems at the time. After the release of Miaow's third single, "Prettiest Eyes", the record company was worried about the band's sales, so they proposed a greatest hits release to save the band. Heaton hated the idea as he was trying to keep the band as far away from mainstream as possible, but nevertheless, "Carry on up the Charts" was released in December 1994 and it sold overwhelmingly, going platinum and becoming one of the biggest selling albums of all time in the UK.
The band returned to form a number one album, "Blue Is the Colour". Their sixth album, "Quench", also hit the top spot. In 2000, after the release of "Painting It Red", Jacqui Abbott left the band to care for her son. A second compilation album, "Solid Bronze", was released and two more studio albums with a new female vocalist, Alison Wheeler. The first, Gaze, became the first Beautiful South album to fail to reach the top 10, and the band were then dropped by Mercury Records.
The following year (2004), newly signed to Sony, they released the curiously named covers album Goldiggas, Headnodders and Pholk Songs, an eclectic album that featured the Beautiful South's unique take on a wide variety of tracks by the like of ELO, Blue Öyster Cult, John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, S Club 7, and Rufus Wainwright. Again, despite considerable publicity and promotional TV appearances, the album failed to make the top 10.
2006 saw the release of yet another album of new material, "Superbi." Reviews were generally positive. "Superbi" has more of an alt-country sound (plenty of slide guitar, for example) than previous Beautiful South releases. The album maintains the band's trademark eccentricity, however, featuring a dobro on one song.
On the ITV documentary music series Faith & Music screened 29th October 2006, Paul talks openly and honestly about his atheism and his battle with alcoholism.
Heaton is the father of two daughters, although he has never married.
www.paulheatonmusic.co.uk
A Cold One in the Fridge
Paul Heaton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Neither will I drain my cup and drop my head
Nor glass of white burgundy from Puligny
I shall go to church and praise the Lord instead
I touch a drop of whiskey at the old bowling alley
In Covina like De Witte might once have said
Nor will I cast my eye to that top shelf in the sky
I shall not be tempted by no mothers ruin
Neither worried by no grape black, green or red
My chalice runneth dry, I shall not stagger by
I shall walk that holy line until I'm dead
I'll hold my head up high
When that great guy in the sky
Looks down and asks us what we did
I didn't waste my time
With whisky, beer and wine
I simply kept a cold one in the fridge
I shall never drink with winos or with dinos
Nor sip from Bloody Mary by the Med
I will raise a glass from lad to poorer lass
I shall be careful where both tongue and feet shall tread
I will not submit myself to scruffy barstool
In any bar, on any corner, any street
The seediest I'll get, is the tears, blood and sweat
Avoiding something so cool and yet so sweet
I'll hold my head up high
When that great guy in the sky
Looks down and asks us what we did
I didn't waste my time
With whisky, beer and wine
I simply kept a cold one in the fridge
I shall promise not to enjoy a Dry Martini
Neither shall I cross the line from good to bad
Just slowly I shall draw with hoof and hidden claw
That line 'Ablutions' never had
And I shall not expect no cherub, or no angels
No gates of heaven, garlands either side
Just a cardboard sign or note, hanging from St. Peter's throat
Saying 'down below but lord he really tried'
I'll hold my head up high
When that great guy in the sky
Looks down and asks us what we did
I didn't waste my time
With whisky, beer and wine
I simply kept a cold one in the fridge
In the song "A Cold One in the Fridge" by Paul Heaton, the lyrics convey a sense of restraint and commitment to a simpler, more disciplined life. The singer expresses a firm decision not to indulge in excess or give in to temptations related to alcohol. The opening verses set the tone by stating that the singer will not partake in drinking beer or wine in specific places or situations, opting instead to focus on praising the Lord and staying on a righteous path.
As the lyrics progress, the singer reiterates their determination to avoid various forms of alcohol, whether it be whiskey, gin, or any other drink. There is a strong sense of self-control and a deliberate choice to stay away from the allure of intoxication. The line "My chalice runneth dry, I shall not stagger by" underscores this commitment to sobriety and walking a straight and narrow path in life.
The chorus serves as a declaration of pride in the singer's chosen lifestyle. They confidently proclaim that they have not wasted their time on drinks like whisky, beer, and wine, but instead kept a simple "cold one in the fridge." This repetition of the chorus emphasizes the singer's contentment with their decision and suggests a sense of fulfillment in their choices.
The closing verses continue to reinforce the theme of moderation and self-discipline. The singer vows not to succumb to societal pressures or expectations related to alcohol consumption, opting for a more measured approach to drinking. The mention of staying away from "scruffy barstools" and being mindful of one's actions and speech indicates a desire to maintain dignity and grace in all circumstances. Ultimately, the song conveys a message of living a life free from excess and embracing a more temperate and mindful existence.
Line by Line Meaning
I shall never drink a beer in St Albans
I will avoid temptation, even in seemingly innocent places.
Neither will I drain my cup and drop my head
I will not give in to excess or let my guard down.
Nor glass of white burgundy from Puligny
I will resist the allure of high-quality wines.
I shall go to church and praise the Lord instead
I will focus on spiritual matters rather than indulging in alcohol.
I touch a drop of whiskey at the old bowling alley
I will only allow myself the smallest indulgences in unlikely places.
In Covina like De Witte might once have said
I will remember to appreciate the moment but not let it control me.
Nor will I cast my eye to that top shelf in the sky
I will resist the temptation of expensive, top-shelf liquors.
I will crawl away somehow and find my bed
I will know when to stop and take care of myself.
I shall not be tempted by no mothers ruin
I will avoid the dangers of gin.
Neither worried by no grape black, green or red
I will not be swayed by the different types of wine available.
My chalice runneth dry, I shall not stagger by
I will not allow myself to become intoxicated or lose control.
I shall walk that holy line until I'm dead
I will maintain my commitment to sobriety throughout my life.
I'll hold my head up high
I will be proud of my choices.
When that great guy in the sky
When facing judgment from a higher power.
Looks down and asks us what we did
Reflecting on our actions in life.
I didn't waste my time
I did not succumb to unhealthy habits.
With whisky, beer and wine
Indulging in excessive alcohol consumption.
I simply kept a cold one in the fridge
I maintained moderation by only having a single drink in reserve.
I shall never drink with winos or with dinos
I will not associate with heavy drinkers or outdated attitudes.
Nor sip from Bloody Mary by the Med
I will avoid indulging in cocktails, even in a relaxed setting.
I will raise a glass from lad to poorer lass
I will toast to friends, regardless of their social status.
I shall be careful where both tongue and feet shall tread
I will be mindful of my words and actions.
I will not submit myself to scruffy barstool
I will avoid the pitfalls of spending time in seedy bars.
In any bar, on any corner, any street
Regardless of the location or circumstances.
The seediest I'll get, is the tears, blood and sweat
I will only experience hardship through perseverance rather than self-destructive behaviors.
Avoiding something so cool and yet so sweet
Resisting the temptation of alcohol, which can be alluring but harmful.
I shall promise not to enjoy a Dry Martini
I will refrain from indulging in classic cocktails.
Neither shall I cross the line from good to bad
I will maintain a balance between responsible behavior and harmful actions.
Just slowly I shall draw with hoof and hidden claw
I will tread carefully and avoid succumbing to temptation.
That line 'Ablutions' never had
I will not cross the line into behaviors that may require cleansing or redemption.
And I shall not expect no cherub, or no angels
I will not rely on divine intervention to guide my actions.
No gates of heaven, garlands either side
I will not expect a reward in the afterlife for my choices in this life.
Just a cardboard sign or note, hanging from St. Peter's throat
I will accept a simple acknowledgment of my efforts rather than extravagant praise.
Saying 'down below but lord he really tried'
Recognizing my efforts to resist temptation and make responsible choices.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Paul Heaton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@paulheaton8180
Nice video! It was Patrick deWitt i was talking about by the way. i think I'd just read his book 'Ablutions'
@kopnewell588
Brilliant.
@macwilson2894
I love this song and my dad loves it to
@macvlogs3979
Nice
@shakermaker7773
no one like him , for sure